Chapter 3

Cell Division
The cell Cycle

• All cells originate from pre-existing cells by

cell division. Growth and development
takes place by cell division. It is by cell
division new cells replace the damaged
and worn out tissues.
• Cell’s life cycle is called cell cycle which is
divided in to two parts: Interphase and
cell division.
Interphase
• The time between two mitotic cell divisions is
interphase. Cell has grown to its maximum size.
During interphase cells replicate their DNA and
some other cytoplasmic components preparing
the cell for division.
• Interphase can be divided in to 3 phases. G1, S
And G2 phases.
• G1 (gap 1) begins immediately after a cell
divides. During G1,(8-10hrs) the cell makes
DNA, proteins and other molecules. Nerve cells
that never divide, remain in G1 stage for life.
G1 phase

• G1 is the normal state of a cell. Cells enter

S phase only if they are to divide. Non
dividing cells remain in a modified G1
stage, called G0 phase. A cell spends most
of its life in G0 or G1 phase.
• (DNA synthesis) during G1 phase.
S phase

• S phase or synthesis phase(6-8 hrs)

• – DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) replicates.
DNA is a polymer of small molecules called
nucleotides.
• Immediately following is G2 phase (4-6
hrs) Chromosomes begin to condense
during this phase
CELL DIVISION
• Interphase is followed by cell division.
• Two types. Mitosis and Meiosis.
• Mitosis takes place in both somatic and sex cells
while meiosis takes place only in sex cells, prior
to the formation of gametes.
Mitosis

• Mitosis is divided in to four stages.

Prophase, metaphase, anaphase and
telophase.
prophase

• The centrosome divides in to two, each

with a pair of centrioles and move to the
opposite poles.
• Chromatin fibers become more thicker and
shorter and are called chromosomes. Each
chromosome consists of two identical
strands, chromatids connected by a
centromere.
prophase

• Formation of microtubules, aster and

spindle fibers. Spindle fibers are
responsible for the movement of
chromosomes.
• Nuclear membrane and nucleolus
disappear, allowing the chromosomes to
get attached to the spindle fibers.
• Prophase
METAPHASE

• The chromosomes get arranged at the

equatorial plane and they are attached by
their centromeres to the spindle fibers.
This helps in the separation of chromatids.
• Metaphase
ANAPHASE

• Anaphase: The centromere of each

chromosome splits and separates the
chromatids and the chromatids move to
the opposite poles. Anaphase lasts only a
few minutes. During anaphase chromatids
of the homologous chromosomes are
drawn to the opposite poles of the mitotic
spindle.
• Anaphase
TELOPHASE

• Telophase. Once the chromatids reach the

opposite poles, they form the net work
forming chromatin fibers, nucleolus and
nuclear membrane reappear, aster and
spindle fibers disappear. Thus two nuclei
are formed having the same number of
chromosomes as the mother cell.
• Division of nucleus is Karyokinesis
• Telophase
Cytokinesis.

• During cytokinesis the microfilaments along the

midline of the cell contract and pull the cell
membrane inward. The cytoplasm constricts,
deepening the furrow inwards, dividing the cell in
to two.
• Division of cytoplasm : Cytokinesis
• Two daughter cells having the same number of
chromosomes (diploid number) as the mother
cell are formed
• Mitosis
MEIOSIS

• Meiosis takes place in sex cells just prior to the

formation of gametes. It consists of two cell
divisions which take place one after the other,
Meiosis 1 and Meiosis 2.
• Meiosis reduces the number of chromosomes by
half.
• Chromosomes occur in pairs called homologous
pairs, because they have the same length,
appearance and contain the same genes.
Meiosis

• Meiosis 1.(Reduction division) The

chromosome number is halved. The
diploid number is halved to haploid
number. In human cell the diploid number
is 46. Sperm or egg (gametes) have only
23 chromosomes. When sperm fuses with
the egg, zygote will have diploid number
or 46 chromosomes. The zygote divides by
mitosis and forms an embryo.
MEIOSIS 1.
• Prophase 1. The centrosome divides and moves to the
opposite poles with centrioles.
• Just like mitosis chromosomes duplicate in interphase.
Each chromosome consists of two identical strands
called chromatids connected by a centromere.
• Crossing over. Homologous pairs of chromosomes come
together and cross each other and exchange hereditary
material. The point where the crossing over takes place
is chiasma. (chiasmata.pl).
• Formation of aster and spindle fibers. Nuclear membrane
and nucleolus disappear.
• Meiosis
• Meiosis
Meiosis 1
• Metaphase1. The chromosomes get arranged at the
equatorial plane. They are connected to the spindle
at the centromere.
• Anaphase1: The individual chromosomes of the pair
move to the opposite poles.
• Telophase1: Once the chromosomes reach the
opposite poles, two nuclei are formed and the
cytoplasm divides in to two forming two daughter
cells, each having the haploid number of
chromosomes which will undergo 2nd meiotic division.
MEIOSIS 2.

• Both cells produced as a result of 1st meiotic

division will undergo 2nd meiotic division. 2nd
meiotic division is mitotic in nature.
• Prophase 2.Each chromosome consists of two
chromatids connected by centromere.
Centrosome divides with centrioles and move to
the opposite poles. Formation of aster and
spindle fibers. Nuclear membrane and nucleolus
will disappear.
Meiosis 2
• Metaphase 2: The chromosomes get arranged at
the equatorial plane and get connected to the
spindle at the centromere.
• Anaphase 2. The centromere splits, separating the
chromatids and the chromatids move to the
opposite poles.
• Telophase 2: Once the chromatids move to the
opposite poles, they form chromatin fibers. Nuclear
membrane and nucleolus reappear. Aster and
spindle fibers disappear. Thus 2 nuclei are formed.
Cytokinesis

• Cytoplasm divides forming two daughter cells.

• Thus four daughter cells are formed each having
haploid number of chromosomes.
• In the female only one cell receives most of the
cytoplasm and mature into an ovum while the
other 3 cells are discarded as polar bodies.
• In the case of male 4 sperms are produced
from one germ cell.